A Concise Timeline of Christian History

Events

John the Baptist

John the Baptist began his ministry in the "15th year of Tiberius" (Luke 3:1-2)
Jesus began his ministry after his baptism by John (27 AD)
John beheaded by Herod in 28-29 AD

The Life of Jesus Christ

3 bc - 30 ad

Yeshua/Jesus' human life on earth during which he fulfilled all Old Testament prophecies regarding the promised Messiah. Ministered approximately from 27-30 AD.
Last Supper at Passover, arrest of Jesus, his trial, and crucifixion on Good Friday...Resurrection on Sunday three days after crucifixion 30 AD

The Beginning of the Church - The Apostolic Age

30 AD - 100 AD

Begun at Pentecost 50 days after Christ's resurrection with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Peter's sermon, and the salvation of 3000 Jews from all over the world gathered in Jerusalem. The 12 original apostles spread the Gospel throughout the then Roman Empire starting in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. This period ended with the death of John, after completing the Revelation on the island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea.

The Calling and Ministry of Saul of Tarsus - the Apostle Paul

47 AD - 67 AD

47-57 c. Missionary travels of Paul
67 Paul Martyred in Rome by Nero

The Romans under Titus destroy Jerusalem after a long siege; 1.5 million Jews die.

70 AD

The Temple destroyed and Jerusalem sacked. After a long siege; 1.5 million Jews die.

The Post Apostolic Age

100 - 590

Justin Martyr who was a contemporary of the Apostle John, Irenaeus Bishop of Lyon, Tertullian of Carthage, Clement, Ambrose, Augustine all ministered during this time as its chief apologists for the Christian Faith.

Emperor Constantine of Rome - The Edict of Toleration

312 AD

After the climactic defeat of pagan forces at the Milvian Bridge, aided by the action of Christian soldiers, Constantine recognizes the Christian Faith as the official religion of the Roman Empire. This ends a long era of persecution but begins a long period of compromise to the standards of this world.

The Nicene Creed

325 AD - 381 AD

Most Christian faith groups recognize this creed. It was originally written and adopted at the Council of Nicea in 325 CE. It was then modified at the second Council at Constantinople in 381 CE. where a description of the Holy Spirit was added. It is more properly called the Niceno-Constantinopolitan or Constantinopolitan Creed. 4

The Latin Vulgate Completed

400 AD

Saint Jerome completes the first translation of the Bible into Latin

The Athanasian Creed

500 AD

This creed is attributed to Athanasius, the fourth century bishop of Alexandria who was the strongest defender of the doctrines of the Trinity and the divinity of Christ. It defines the doctrines of the Trinity and the nature of Christ in very concise language.